The Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Those who were lucky enough to get their hands on the Cohiba Behike—perhaps the most expensive, rare, and highly anticipated cigar of all time—probably smoked their stash last summer, shortly after the cigar became available. And who can blame them? But I managed to tuck away one BHK 54 (5.7 x 54) for seven months just to see how some modest aging would impact this prized smoke. I’m not sure it changed all that much. I found excellent construction with medium-bodied notes of molasses, honey, coffee, earth, cream, and cinnamon. I still don’t think the Behike is worth the $50 it commands on the market, but I can’t deny that this is an exquisite, finely balanced smoke.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

I’ll admit I hadn’t heard of this new Dominican puro until a friend pointed it out to me when I was visiting one of my local cigar shops. The $10 smoke features a a medium brown corojo wrapper with just a bit of shine. I don’t know the exact size but I’d guess it’s about 6 inches long with a ring gauge of 52. It starts off very mild with slightly damp woody notes. I nearly wrote it off as bland and boring when, about a third of the way in, it developed a more interesting edge with cedar and cinnamon spice, and became more medium-bodied. With excellent construction, it was good enough that I’d want to try a few more before rendering a full judgement.

Verdict = Hold

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

While I really don’t remember purchasing these cigars, I do remember that I wasn’t particularly impressed when I smoked them. Unlike reviewers who found the Joya de Nicaragua Fuerte Serie B to be a good, cheap smoke, I found the blend to be harsh. So, I tucked them into my humidor and forgot about them. That’s been a couple of years. When I ran across one the other day I thought I’d give it a try. And I was pleasantly surprised. Not all the harshness had dissipated, but it had been subdued enough to let some of the tobacco’s better qualities come through. Among the tobacco flavors I found some leather and wood, though neither predominated. Construction, draw, and burn were fine. So if you’re looking for a very inexpensive cigar—the Corona Gorda (5 x 46) runs around $50 for a bundle of 20—that you can smoke while doing something else, this is worth a shot. Worth it, that is, if you’re willing to invest a couple of years to file down the splinters.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

photo credit: N/A

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

On the recommendation of Intemperance (and CroMagnon) co-owner Skip Martin, I lit this Ecuadorian Connecticut-wrapped short perfecto (5 x 50) up in the morning with a cup of coffee. (I defied his suggesting that I do it with a New York Times and went with the Wall Street Journal instead.) It’s a medium-bodied cigar with plenty of cedar, roasted notes, and hints of spice and cream. Well-constructed with decent balance, for seasoned full-bodied cigar smokers, it’s a good first smoke of the day. But that doesn’t mean it would be out of place after dinner with a stronger drink.

Verdict = Buy

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

It has been about two years since this cigar was part of my regular rotation. Always nice to reconnect with old favorites, I lit one up the other day and was reminded why I once enjoyed the Toro (6 x 48) so frequently. Its Connecticut desflorado wrapper contributes to a bright profile of olive, onion, bread, and creamy cashew. With excellent construction, this consistent performer is worthy of its price tag of just over $6 when you buy by the box.

Verdict = Buy

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

This new version of the Tatuaje Cojonu blend hasn’t been released yet, but I was fortunate enough to get one at a Tatuaje event last month. The new Tatuaje Conoju 2012 will come in three versions: one with a Habano wrapper, one with a Sumatra wrapper (Capa Especial), and one with a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper (Reserva). It’s a potent, bold smoke that features earth, dark chocolate, black coffee, and black pepper spice. With flawless construction, this new Tatuaje smoke is certainly a ballsy, full-flavored Nicaraguan cigar.

Verdict = Buy

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Although this stick came out last year, I’ve only recently gotten around to it. Little about the Retro Especiale line, from band and box to wrapper and taste, is common to the traditional La Gloria Cubana. The blend is a complex mixture of several tobacco strains from four countries, including a Connecticut-seed wrapper grown in Honduras and a double binder that includes Mexican leaf. Numerous flavors developed throughout, with strength about medium. The draw felt a little loose and the burn wandered a bit, but it is certainly an interesting cigar worth a try.

Verdict = Buy.

–George E

photo credit: N/A